THEATRE
Four Play
7-9, 14-16 October at the Manoel Theatre, Valletta
The MADC’s theatre season will kick off with Four Play – a collection of hilarious sketches ranging from musical comedy, to satire, to in-your-face slapstick, presented by four writers, four directors and four actors. All the sketches will be played at exhaustive speed by just four actors – Alan Montanaro, Isabelle Warrington, Philip Stilon and Louiselle Vassallo. No one is safe from their wacky theatrical shenanigans… everybody from TV personalities and politicians to worldwide celebrities and even the Queen of England is fodder for this side-splitting evening! The sketches have been written by Alan Montanaro, Marius Zulgis, James Calvert and Malcolm Galea and are directed by Herman Grech, James Calvert, Malcolm Galea and James Borg. Musical direction is in the hands of Paul Abela, while Jes Sciberras is the choreographer. Four Play is produced by Alan Montanaro.
Agnes of God
21-23 October at the Manoel Theatre, Valletta
Doctor Martha Livingstone, a court-appointed psychiatrist, is asked to determine the sanity of a young nun accused of murdering her own baby. Miriam Ruth, the Mother Superior, seems bent on protecting Sister Agnes from the doctor, and Livingstone’s suspicions are immediately aroused. In searching for solutions to various mysteries (Who killed the baby? Who fathered the child?), Livingstone forces all three women, herself included, to face realities in their own lives and re-examine the meaning of faith and the commitment of love. The cast consists of Karmen Azzopardi, who makes a comeback to the Manoel Theatre stage to play the part of the Mother Superior, Monica Attard, who plays Dr Martha Livingstone and Nadia Vella who is playing Sister Agnes. Direction is by Anthony Bezzina and set design by Peter Howitt. Agnes of God contains adult subject matter.
Halloween… The Spoof
28-30 October at St James Cavalier, Valletta
Four young people meet a couple of the most well-known characters in horror world on Halloween night. And, of course, where better to meet than in a cemetery – where the dead should be left to rest for eternity. Well our “dead” like to be a bit more entertaining with their visitors and appreciate those who don’t mind keeping them company for an hour or so. The gates will be open for all ages, and all shapes and sizes will be allowed to enter. Those who are lucky enough might make it out alive. Written by Krista Bonello Rutter Giappone and directed by Patrick Vella.
Il-Kummidjant
29-30 October at the Manoel Theatre, Valletta
Produced by the Valletta Dramatic Company.
CINEMA
The Machinist
3-4, 9-10, 14-16 October at St James Cavalier, Valletta
The story of Trevor Reznik, a lathe-operator who is dying of insomnia.
Nathalie
3-4, 11-13, 17-18 October at St James Cavalier, Valletta
Nathalie is the name a Parisian prostitute assumes for a special mission or “private investigation”.
Vodka Lemon
5-18 October at St James Cavalier, Valletta
In a remote, isolated village in post-Soviet Armenia, Hamo, a widower with a pitiful pension and three worthless sons, travels daily to his wife’s grave.
Les Silences Du Palais
19, 22 October at St James Cavalier, Valletta
Alia, aged 25, is sick and tired of being a wedding singer. After being humiliated for the nth time at a gala party, she expresses her dislike of her life.
La Cienaga
19, 20 October at St James Cavalier, Valletta
February in the northwest of Argentina can be uncomfortably hot and the heat and the dampness make tensions rise.
La Lupa
20 October at the Italian Cultural Institute, Valletta
By Gabriele Lavia (from the novel by Giovanni Verga), with Monica Guerritore, Raul Bova, Michele Placido, Alessia Fugardi and Giancarlo Giannini.
Lettre D’Amour Zoulou
20-21 October at St James Cavalier, Valletta
Thandeka is a journalist, and she is black. Her alcohol problems undermine her work and her relationship with her deaf-and-dumb daughter.
Zhantai
21, 22 October at St James Cavalier, Valletta
Set in China, the film follows – over a 10-year period – the tribulations of a theatre company that has turned to rock ‘n roll music.
Les Gens de la Riziere
23, 24 October at St James Cavalier, Valletta
A banal incident in the life of Vong Poeuw arises and the life cycle suddenly turns into a tragic cycle.
Ali Zaoua
23, 24 October at St James Cavalier, Valletta
Ali, Kwika, Omar and Boubker are street urchins who, in spite of the harsh life they lead, are bound by friendship.
Hyenes
25, 26 October at St James Cavalier, Valletta
Incredible news from the inhabitants of Colobane: Linguere Ramatou, who has become a multi-millionaire, has come back home.
Luna Papa
25, 27 October at St James Cavalier, Valletta
One moonlit night, young Mamlakat Bekmaroudova is seduced by a mysterious stranger, who then disappears, leaving Mamlakat pregnant.
West Beyrouth
26, 27 October at St James Cavalier, Valletta
A film about the Western and Eastern parts of Beirut: the geographic division symbolises the tearing apart of a whole country and its people.
Bon Voyage
28-31 October at St James Cavalier, Valletta
At the start of World War II, the fate of the free world hangs in the balance at the posh Hotel Splendide in Bordeaux, where Cabinet members, journalists, physicists and spies of all persuasions gather in order to escape the Nazi occupation of Paris.
Woodsman
28-30, 31 October at St James Cavalier, Valletta
After 12 years in prison, Walter arrives in an unnamed city, moves into a small apartment across the street from an elementary school, gets a job at a lumberyard, and mostly keeps to himself. But he cannot escape his past.
MUSIC
Intimate Letters – Mozart, father and son
3 October at Auberge d’Italie, (The Tourism and Culture Ministry), Merchant Street, Valletta
The first in a series of five concerts which examines the intimate letters and music of some of the world’s favourite composers. The first concert focuses on Mozart and his father, with music by The ProMuzika ensemble and the letters read by Pierre Stafrace. Sponsored by Valletta property specialists CityPro.
1565 The Musical – concert version
8 October at Fort St Angelo, Vittoriosa
The premiere of the musical, which features the Great Siege of Malta, was held at the Mediterranean Conference Centre in Valletta in February. 1565 – The Musical, written by Malcolm Galea, with music composed by Mro Paul Abela, will be repeated in full costume by the Masquerade Theatre Company, with the spectacular views of Fort Saint Angelo as the backdrop.
National Orchestra goes Pop with Vodaphone 2005
8 October at the Mediterra-nean Conference Centre, Valletta
For the occasion, the national orchestra will team up with a set of saxophones, bass, lead guitar, keyboard and percussion – instruments not usually associated with the national orchestra – resulting in a 50-piece orchestra. Led by Marcelline Agius, the orchestra will play a combination of popular instrumental and vocal numbers, ranging from swing to soul, with popular cover versions, sound tracks and music by Queen, as well as a Maltese touch of original ethnic and rock compositions.
Bekova Trio
11 October at the Manoel Theatre, Valletta
The return to Malta of the world-renowned Bekova Trio. Produced by Stradivari.
A Danish Divertimento
17 October at the Manoel Theatre, Valletta
Featuring the Danish Symphony Orchestra directed by Per-Otto Johansson with the flautist virtuoso Ulla Bergstedt. Presented by the Rotary Club (Malta), Skal International and Teatru Manoel and produced by MTMC.
The Musical Secret
22 and 23 October at the Cospicua Sports Complex
By Company Louie Noir. Direction and script by Noel Zarb.
An evening of memorable Spanish music
25 October at the Manoel Theatre, Valletta
Piano recital of Spanish favourites by renowned virtuoso Enrique Perez de Guzman, sponsored by the Spanish Embassy.
VISUAL ARTS
Flashbacks from the Past
3 September – 9 October at St James Cavalier, Valletta
An exhibition of historic photographs, digitised film footage and vintage photographic cameras and printing tools, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Department. The Information Department, or DOI, is the government information service, providing members of the general public with information and material related to government services and activities.
Shedding new light on the Egyptian Statue of Neferaabet
5 September – 27 November at Heritage Malta Gozo Area Office, The Citadel
Exhibition of an imported ancient Egyptian statue, currently forming part of the Archaeology Reserve Collection.
Fireworks
22 September – 12 October at the Loggia, National Museum of Fine Arts, Valletta
Exhibition of ceramic sculptures by Paul Haber.
Simon Barthet’s exhibition of oil paintings
17 September – 16 October at Gallery G, Villa Gourgion, 4 Sir Ugo Mifsud Street, Lija.
The Coinage of the Crusaders and the World of Islam
29 September – 15 January 2006 at the Mediaeval Hall, National Museum of Archaeology, Valletta
Exhibition organised by Heritage Malta and Mr Emmanuel Azzopardi in collaboration with Midsea Books Ltd on the occasion of the launching of the book The Coinage of the Crusaders and the World of Islam published by Midsea Books Ltd.
Flotsam and Jetsam
1-10 October at Muska Gallery, 24, Main Street, Balzan
Exhibition by Kenneth Zammit Tabona.
Mdina’s Cathedral in its Maltese landscape
1-14 October at the Gallery, Corinthia Palace Hotel, San Anton
Exhibition by Elske Wilton-Pfaeltzer.
Exhibition by Ilina Filipova
1-31 October at Cleland & Souchet, Portomaso, St Julians
Crusades: Myth and Realities
6 October – 15 January 2006 at the Preti Halls, National Museum of Archaeology, Valletta
Participation by Heritage Malta in the international exhibition organised by the Pierides Foundation of Cyprus in collaboration with the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage, Malta, The Foundation of the Hellenic World from Greece, Instituto per le Tecnologie Applicate ai Beni Culturali – Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche from Italy, and the Centre de Recherches en Arts, Images et Formes, University of Picardy, Jules Verne from France as part of EU Culture 2000 project
Light Touches
7 October – 13 November at St James Cavalier, Valletta
Light touches all of us: sharply, even brutally at times, focusing on things that we may not wish to see. In this exhibition, Gerd Christian Seeber has attempted to capture light as a giver of life, when it touches things lightly, and we may find ourselves contemplating its appearance with a sense of being nurtured and healed.
Luigi Maria Ugolini: An Italian Archaeologist in Malta
8 October – 30 November at Heritage Malta Head Office, Valletta
Exhibition organised by Heritage Malta in collaboration with the Soprintendenza al Museo Nazionale Preistorico Etnografico “Luigi Pigorini”, Istituto Culturale Italiano and Midsea Books Ltd.
Nelson and Malta: A Naval Hero’s Vision
10 October – 9 January 2006 at the St Angelo Hall, Malta Maritime Museum, Vittoriosa
Exhibition organised by Heritage Malta in collaboration with the British High Commission and Greenwich Maritime Museum on the occasion of the 200th anniversary of Nelson’s death at the Battle of Trafalgar and CHOGM – Malta 2005 (Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting).
Exhibition by Dione Borg
12-31 October at Muska Gallery, 24, Main Street, Balzan
Din L-Art Helwa photographic exhibition
12 October at the Judge Caruana Curran Hall, 133, Melita Street, Valletta
Collection of photographs of the organisation’s heritage sites and their restoration.
Kultura… sous influences
13 October – 13 November at St James Cavalier, Valletta
Michel D’Anastasio is a calligraphy artist living in Paris, and is now achieving a dream: exhibiting in the country of his ancestors. Kultura… sous influences, the Franco-Maltese title of his exhibition, symbolises the cultures of the different people who colonised Malta, and also Malta’s own culture, according to Michel’s personality.
The Maltese Silver Collection by Victor Azzopardi
16 – 30 October at the Salon, National Museum of Archaeology, Valletta
Exhibition of antique and contemporary Maltese silverware organized by Victor Azzopardi Ltd in collaboration with Heritage Malta.
LECTURES
Memorable Astronomical Events
5 October at the Heritage Malta Head Office, Valletta
Public lecture by Prof. Frank J. Ventura, organised by the Astronomical Society of Malta on the occasion of Malta Astronomy Week 2005.
Observatories in Malta: Past, Present and Future
5 October at the Heritage Malta Head Office, Valletta
Public lecture by Alexei Pace, organised by the Astronomical Society of Malta on the occasion of Malta Astronomy Week 2005
Air Pollution in Malta
13 October at 133, Melita Street, Valletta
Lecture by Prof. Alfred Vella. Organised by Din L-Art Helwa.
OTHER EVENTS
Historic Cities Festival
From 6 to 16 October in Malta’s major historic cities
Eleven days of cultural entertainment focusing on Malta’s main historic towns, namely Valletta, Mdina and Rabat, Victoria, Vittoriosa, Cospicua and Senglea. A number of concerts will be held, both inside historic buildings and Baroque churches and out-of-doors.
There will be three major re-enactments during this year’s festival, one in Vittoriosa, one in Victoria and the third in Mdina. The latter will focus on the mediaeval period and will recount the arrival of Count Roger in Mdina in 1091. Military armour and colourful costumes of the period will be worn for the first time for this event. Other spectacular activities and events, such as folk singing, concerts and pageantry, will also be held during the festival.
The highlight of this year’s Malta Historic Cities Festival is the Valletta Military Tattoo, which will be held on 15 and 16 October in the Palace Square, Valletta.
Italianita e archeologia a Malta negli anni Trenta: La Missione di Luigi Maria Ugolini a Malta
7 October at the Istituto Culturale Italiano, Valletta
International conference organised by the Istituto Culturale Italiano in collaboration with Heritage Malta and Midsea Books Ltd.
The Foundation Myths of Architecture
7-8 October at the Salon, National Museum of Archaeology, Valletta
International conference organised by Architecture Projects.
Tourism and Maritime Heritage
10 October at the St Angelo Hall, Malta Maritime Museum, Vittoriosa
International conference organised by Heritage Malta with the support of the Malta Tourism Authority.
Association of Mediterranean Maritime Museums Annual Forum
11 October at the St Angelo Hall, Malta Maritime Museum, Vittoriosa
International forum organised by Heritage Malta with the support of the Malta Tourism Authority.
Festival Mediterranea
21 October – 6 November in Gozo
The fourth time this festival of culture has been held in Gozo. Highlights include the opera La Boheme by Puccini, featuring tenor Joseph Calleja, the National Orchestra of Malta and the Teatru Astra Opera Chorus, which will be held at the Teatru Astra, Victoria, on 27 October.
This information is correct at the time of printing.
Bookings for the Manoel Theatre may be made at the Manoel Theatre booking office, tel. 2124-6389; email [email protected] and online www.teatrumanoel.com
Bookings for St James Cavalier may be made at the centre’s booking office in Valletta, tel. 2122-3200 or email: [email protected]. More information from website www.sjcav.org
Bookings for the Mediterranean Conference Centre may be made on tel. 2559-5751 or bookings@ mcc.com.mt
[email protected]